Chapter 27.3

Finally, Gu Qingsong gritted his teeth and handed over the materials in front of him.

Ruan Mingfu took a look and understood immediately.

“Give me a pen.”

Gu Qingsong quickly handed it over.

Ruan Mingfu took the pen and quickly wrote on the blank paper, translating a page in a few strokes.

She returned the paper and pen together.

“How else do you want to test me?”

To be honest, Gu Qingsong’s shocked expression really amused her, reminding her of the Alaskan Malamute she used to keep.

Gu Qingsong took the translated paper from Ruan Mingfu and examined it.

It was a previous translation. He hurriedly compared it with his own version. Only then did he realize the vast difference. Ruan Mingfu’s version was precise, and some expressions made him suddenly understand.

After seeing Ruan Mingfu’s translations, Gu Qingsong compared them with his own work.

He covered his head and screamed as he ran out.

Ruan Mingfu and the others: “…”

If they had known it would have such an effect on him, they wouldn’t have come. The boy was clearly overwhelmed.

Xu Zhu looked at Ruan Mingfu with a hint of curiosity. “Comrade Ruan, how did you learn foreign languages?”

At this time, Russian was the mainstream and most prevalent language. Foreign languages like the ones Ruan Mingfu had translated were rare. Even Xu Zhu couldn’t recognize a single letter.

“I learned it when I was young,” Ruan Mingfu said, her eyes flashing. “My father even hired a teacher specifically for me.”

The reason Ruan Mingfu’s parents were sent down was partly due to their ancestors being wealthy merchants.

Although her parents had spoiled her, they didn’t allow her to do as she pleased and made sure she studied many things.

The original owner of her identity didn’t attend university, but she had indeed completed high school.

Xu Zhu wanted to ask about her family background but decided it might be impolite, so he kept quiet.

“Does this… affect you in any way?” Ruan Mingfu asked, considering the peculiarities of the era.

“Don’t worry about it, just be yourself,” Xie Yanzhao said, giving her a deep look. He added, “The army approved the marriage report, so they must have investigated you thoroughly. There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Old Xie is right,” Xu Zhu said, now addressing her more casually, “Sister-in-law, you are truly impressive.”

With only the three of them in the carriage, Xu Zhu decided to call her ‘Sister-in-law’ directly for convenience.

Xie Yanzhao shot him a cold glance. “How long do you plan to take advantage?”

At first, Xu Zhu didn’t understand.

When he finally grasped the meaning, he glared at Xie Yanzhao. “Old Xie, you really are something.”

If it weren’t for him, with Xie Yanzhao’s sour face, Comrade Ruan would have already left!

Not only did he not receive any thanks, but he was also called out for taking advantage.

Old Xie was really becoming unbearable.

While they were talking, a figure burst into the carriage. Upon seeing Ruan Mingfu, his eyes lit up. He reached out to take her away, but Xie Yanzhao stopped him.

The middle-aged man shivered under Xie Yanzhao’s fierce gaze.

He was about to say something when Xu Zhu intervened. “What are you trying to do?”

“No, no, I…”

“Teacher, wait for me!” Gu Qingsong’s voice came from outside the door. He soon arrived and said, “Teacher, wait for me.”

The middle-aged man felt somewhat wronged. “I… I am his teacher.”

Xu Zhu understood. “Ah, it’s a misunderstanding. It’s all a misunderstanding. Old Xie, let him go.”

They had seen this middle-aged man when they boarded the train.

Xie Yanzhao then released the man.

“This must be Comrade Ruan,” the man said, immediately moving towards Ruan Mingfu. To avoid a repeat of the previous scene, he had learned his lesson. “My name is Hu Xianlin, and I am Qingsong’s teacher.”

When Gu Qingsong found him, he was reviewing some documents.

Upon hearing what Gu Qingsong said, Hu Xianlin was shaking with excitement. Foreign language skills in their country were just beginning to develop, and talents like Ruan Mingfu were greatly needed.

Hu Xianlin excitedly rushed over to recruit her, only to find that she was such a delicate young woman.

But he didn’t give up.

Hu Xianlin rubbed his hands together. “Qingsong has told me that Comrade Ruan is very capable. I would like to ask you for a favor, if I may?”

Although he said it was a favor, Professor Hu looked at her with such hopeful eyes that it was hard to refuse.

He didn’t want to be in this situation, but the professor responsible for this language had fallen ill, and there was a lot of urgent work to be done. They needed to prepare materials for an international trade conference. If the translation wasn’t completed, it would be a national embarrassment.

Though Professor Hu also knew the language, his skills were only mediocre. He was desperate when Ruan Mingfu, the savior, arrived.

He couldn’t let this opportunity slip by!

Ruan Mingfu looked at Xie Yanzhao, who nodded.

Was that a sign of approval?

Ruan Mingfu then said, “Alright, I’ll help you with this.”

It was boring to just sit on the train; finding something to do to pass the time seemed like a good idea.

“Great,” Professor Hu’s eyes brightened, and he seemed more pleased with Ruan Mingfu, “Comrade Ruan, please come with me.”

The materials were confidential, and Professor Hu wasn’t allowed to take any with him.

Xie Yanzhao stood up at the right moment. “I’ll go with her.”

“This…” Professor Hu was a bit hesitant. Bringing Ruan Mingfu in was already a special case, and bringing another person might be inconvenient.

Gu Qingsong tugged at Professor Hu’s sleeve and whispered, “He is a soldier.”

Professor Hu examined Xie Yanzhao closely and became increasingly wary. He remembered how Xie Yanzhao had grabbed him, his hands like iron clamps that he couldn’t escape.

Professor Hu thought that the term “military” was too gentle compared to “bandit.”

“Don’t be ridiculous…”

Ruan Mingfu also said, “Professor Hu, if he doesn’t go, then neither will I.”

“That won’t do!”

Professor Hu wanted to scream. How could he let the external help he had finally secured back out?

Seeing that Ruan Mingfu was really about to refuse, Professor Hu panicked and decisively said, “Let’s go, let’s go.”

Xu Zhu sat on the edge of the bed. “I won’t go. We need someone to keep an eye on the things.”

…

The translation room was a temporary resting place, and it was closely monitored.

Professor Hu brought the two of them to a small room where three people were sitting, heads down, writing something. Even when someone entered, they didn’t look up.

“Comrade Ruan, thank you for your help.”

Professor Hu lowered his voice and placed a stack of documents on the table.

“Is this all?”

“This is it,” Professor Hu nodded. “Once you’re done translating, I’ll send you back. Comrade Xie, please have a seat as well.”

The trade conference was the day after tomorrow, so they had to finish all the documents tonight.

The stack of documents was not thick—only about twenty to thirty pages. But for an ordinary person, it was already a lot, especially translating it into a foreign language. Even for someone experienced, it would take several hours.

But Ruan Mingfu exceeded Professor Hu’s expectations.

She glanced at the documents and immediately started writing on a blank sheet of paper.

In no time, she finished one page.

Professor Hu was stunned.

He stopped working altogether and just stood next to Ruan Mingfu, watching her write.

Ruan Mingfu’s speed was impressive, yet she was meticulous and didn’t join letters together. Her handwriting was very neat, comparable to machine printing. The twenty to thirty pages of documents took her only about half an hour.

This was far beyond what Professor Hu had anticipated.

When she finished, Ruan Mingfu even cross-checked everything before handing the documents back to Professor Hu.

He took a look and was amazed.

“Wonderful! Thank you, Comrade Ruan!”

With this translation, he could go to bed earlier tonight, instead of staying up until one or two in the morning like the previous night.

“No need to be polite,” Ruan Mingfu said as she adjusted her wrist. “Professor Hu, we’ll be leaving now.”

“Wait.”

The more Professor Hu looked at the manuscript, the more satisfied he became. “Comrade Ruan, would you be interested in working at our institute? We need talented people like you. Don’t worry, I won’t treat you unfairly.”

“Sixty a month, no! Eighty,” with his authority, Professor Hu could only offer this much, “and after you start working, I’ll increase it.”

Currently, an ordinary worker earns only twenty to thirty yuan a month. Professor Hu’s offer of eighty was an astronomical sum.

If it weren’t for the fear of gossip, Professor Hu would have offered a hundred, just to keep Ruan Mingfu.

“Professor Hu, I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you,” Ruan Mingfu glanced at Xie Yanzhao before continuing, “I’m here with the military and I’m about to get married.”

She hadn’t forgotten the purpose of her visit.

It took a while for Professor Hu to react.

“Married? To whom?” Professor Hu pointed at Xie Yanzhao, who looked like a god of death, “To him? Aren’t you siblings?”

Xie Yanzhao glared at Professor Hu.

Ruan Mingfu felt it was difficult to explain. “When have we ever been siblings?”

Ah…

Professor Hu was speechless, wishing he could grab Gu Qingsong and give him a good beating.

“What a pity.”

It was hard to tell whether he was lamenting the loss of a rare talent or the fact that she was marrying someone as stern as Xie Yanzhao.

Since it was a personal choice, Professor Hu didn’t press the issue.

“Comrade Ruan, can I still ask you for similar translation work in the future? Of course, we will pay you according to the market rate.”

You’d be a fool not to earn money!

Having arrived in a strange place, Ruan Mingfu was worried about how to make money, but this issue was resolved in one go.

“Of course.”

They exchanged contact details.

Ruan Mingfu didn’t know where the military camp was located; it was Xie Yanzhao who wrote it down.

She looked at the writing on the paper.

It was strong and powerful, with a sharpness that matched the person who wrote it.

She suddenly felt reluctant to give the paper to Professor Hu.

Before leaving, Professor Hu handed her an envelope with twenty large bills inside.

This delighted Ruan Mingfu.

It was the second time she earned money on her own.

If Mrs. Ruan knew she could now support herself, she would be moved to tears.

…

The next morning, Ruan Mingfu woke up early.

She was so excited about the money she received the previous day. If she had known translation work was so profitable, she would have started earlier.

Xie Yanzhao was already awake and was packing his luggage.

When they got off the train, Xie Yanzhao protected Ruan Mingfu and carried her things.

Xu Zhu placed the items he was holding on the ground, looking at the bustling train station. “I wonder if someone has come to pick us up.”

“It shouldn’t be that quick. Let’s wait a bit.”

Ruan Mingfu, in her dress, was standing quietly to the side, about to speak when someone suddenly interrupted.

“Ruan Mingfu, is that really you!”